The expression pattern of Bcl11a, Mdm2 and Pten genes in B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Inhibition of PI3K Signaling Intensified the Antileukemic Effects of Pioglitazone: New Insight into the Application of PPARγ Stimulators in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Over the past two decades, molecular targeted therapy has revolutionized the landscape of cancer treatment due to lower side effects as well as higher anticancer effects. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) is a member of the nuclear hormone receptor which plays a crucial role in cell proliferation and death and the efficacy of PPARγ ligands either as monotherapy or in combination with traditional chemotherapy drugs has been proved by recent studies. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of pioglitazone, a well-known PPARγ stimulator, in ALL-derived NALM6 cells by using trypan blue assay, MTT assay, and flow cytometry analysis. Moreover, to investigate the molecular mechanism action of pioglitazone in these cells, we assessed the possible alterations in the expression of some target genes which regulate cell proliferation, apoptosis, and autophagy system. Our result demonstrated that pioglitazone induced a remarkable antileukemic effect on NALM6 cells through a PTEN-mediated manner. Based on the fact that PI3K hyperactivation is one of the main properties of ALL cells, the effects of PI3K inhibition using CAL-101 on pioglitazone-induced cytotoxicity were evaluated by combinatorial experiments. Moreover, the result of cell cycle assay and qRT-PCR demonstrated that pioglitazone-CAL-101 induced antileukemic effect mainly through induction of p21 and p27-mediated G1 arrest. Additionally, our result showed that inhibition of proteasome and autophagy system, two main cellular processes, increased the antileukemic effects of the agents. Taken together, we suggest a novel therapeutic application for PPARγ stimulators as a single agent or in combination with PI3K inhibitors that should be clinically evaluated in ALL patients.

RNA-seq analysis reveals candidate genes associated with proliferation, invasion, and migration in BCL11A knockdown B-NHL cell lines

B-cell lymphoma/leukemia 11A (BCL11A) is highly expressed in B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (B-NHL), blocks cell differentiation, and inhibits cell apoptosis. However, little is known about BCL11A in the proliferation, invasion, and migration of B-NHL cells. Here, we found increased expression of BCL11A in B-NHL patients and cell lines. Knockdown of BCL11A suppressed the proliferation, invasion, and migration of B-NHL cells in vitro and reduced tumor growth in vivo. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and KEGG pathway analysis demonstrated that BCL11A-targeted genes were significantly enriched in the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, focal adhesion, and extracellular matrix (ECM)-receptor interaction (including COL4A1, COL4A2, FN1, SPP1), and SPP1 was the most significantly downregulated gene. qRT‒PCR, western blotting, and immunohistochemistry revealed that silencing BCL11A reduced the expression level of SPP1 in Raji cells. Our study suggested that high level of BCL11A may promote B-NHL proliferation, invasion, and migration, and the BCL11A-SPP1 regulatory axis may play an important role in Burkitt's lymphoma.

BCL11A Facilitates Cell Proliferation and Metastasis in Neuroblastoma via Regulating the PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathway

PURPOSE

The study aims to access the value of B-cell lymphoma/leukemia 11A (BCL11A) in the prognosis of patients with neuroblastoma (NB) and to explore its role and possible mechanism in NB.

METHODS

Tumor specimens from 53 children with neuroblastoma were evaluated for the relationship between BCL11A expression level and prognosis of NB patients. Online datasets like SEQC and Asgharzadeh were analyzed to further check out the suppose.The role of BCL11A in the proliferation and migration of NB cells was studied by functional experiments such as CCK8, colony formation, flow cytometry, transwell and wound healing assay after knocking down BCL11A by small interfering RNA (siRNA) in vitro. The protein makers of the potential pathways were tested by western blot.

RESULTS

High expression of BCL11A in NB patients was closely correlated with high-risk and poor prognosis. The proliferation and migration abilities of NB cell lines SK-N-BE(2) and IMR-32 were significantly impaired by silencing BCL11A. Downregulation of BCL11A expression level in NB cells inhibited the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process and affected the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

CONCLUSION

As a prognostic indicator of survival in NB patients, BCL11A might serve as a potential therapeutic target. BCL11A played a regulatory role in cell proliferation, invasion, and migration in NB, which may be through the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and induce EMT.

High TRGV 9 Subfamily Expression Marks an Improved Overall Survival in Patients With Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Background

Heterogeneous T cells in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) have the combinatorial variety generated by different T cell receptors (TCRs). γδ T cells are a distinct subgroup of T cells containing TCRγ (TRGV) and TCRδ (TRDV) subfamilies with diverse structural and functional heterogeneity. Our previous study showed that clonally expanded TRDV T cells might benefit the immune response directed against AML. However, the features of the TRGV repertoire in AML remain unknown. To fully characterize the features of γδ T cells, we analyzed the distribution and clonality of TRGV I-III subfamilies (TRGV II is also termed TRVG 9), the proportions of γδ T cell subsets, and their effects on the overall survival (OS) of patients with AML.

Methods

In this study, the complementarity-determining region 3 (CDR3) size of TRGV subfamilies in γδ T cells of peripheral blood (PB) from de novo AML patients were analyzed by Genescan analysis. Expression levels of TRGV subfamilies were performed by real-time quantitative PCR. The proportions of total γδ T cells and their Vγ9⁺ Vδ2⁺ T cells subsets were detected by multicolor flow cytometry assay. We further compared the correlation among the TRGV gene expression levels, the proportion of Vγ9⁺ Vδ2⁺ T cells, and OS in AML.

Results

We first found that the distribution pattern and clonality of TRGV subfamilies were changed. The expression frequencies and gene expression levels of three TRGV subfamilies in AML samples were significantly lower than those in healthy individuals (HIs). Compared with HIs, the proportions of total γδ T cells and Vγ9⁺ Vδ2⁺ T cells were also significantly decreased in patients with AML. In addition, patients with AML who had higher expression levels of the TRGV gene and higher proportion of Vγ9⁺ Vδ2⁺ T cells showed better OS than their counterparts. Furthermore, high expression levels of TRGV 9 and proportion of Vγ9⁺ Vδ2⁺ T cells were identified as independent protective factors for complete remission in patients with AML.

Conclusions

The restriction of TRGV usage might be related to the preference of usage of γδ T cells. Higher expression of TRGV subfamilies might be associated with better OS in AML. Higher TRGV 9 expression and increased Vγ9⁺ Vδ2⁺ T cells subfamilies might indicate a better prognosis in patients with AML.

The expression and clinical significance of murine double minute 2, lysosome-associated membrane protein 1, and P-glycoprotein in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia

BACKGROUND

To analyze the expression and clinical significance of murine double minute 2 (MDM2), lysosome-associated membrane protein (LAMP1) and P-glycoprotein (P-gp) in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

METHODS

Thirty-three children with ALL who were admitted to our hospital between January 2017 and January 2018 were enrolled as the ALL group. The expression of MDM2, LAMP1 and P-gp was compared between the two groups, as well as between ALL patients with different clinical characteristics. Logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors that affect the prognosis and survival of ALL patients. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were used to analyze the correlations of MDM2, LAMP1 and P-gp on the prognosis and survival of ALL patients.

RESULTS

The expression levels of MDM2, LAMP1 and P-gp in the ALL group were higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). The average survival time of the group with low expression of MDM2 was (34.92±0.56) months, the average survival time of the group with high expression of MDM2 was (31.32±0.42) months, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The average survival time of the group with low expression of LAMP1 was (36.71±0.55) months, the average survival time of the group with high expression of LAMP1 was (29.87±0.40) months, the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The average survival time of the group with low expression of P-gp was (36.29±0.41) months, the average survival time of the group with high expression of P-gp was (26.46±0.37) months, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Abnormal expression levels of MDM2, LAMP1 and P-gp protein are related to the occurrence and development of ALL, and are closely related to patient prognosis and survival. Therefore, MDM2, LAMP1and P-gp can serve as molecular markers for predicting the prognosis of children with ALL.

BCL11A: a potential diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target in human diseases

Transcription factor B-cell lymphoma/leukemia 11A (BCL11A) gene encodes a zinc-finger protein that is predominantly expressed in brain and hematopoietic tissue. BCL11A functions mainly as a transcriptional repressor that is crucial in brain, hematopoietic system development, as well as fetal-to-adult hemoglobin switching. The expression of this gene is regulated by microRNAs, transcription factors and genetic variations. A number of studies have recently shown that BCL11A is involved in β-hemoglobinopathies, hematological malignancies, malignant solid tumors, 2p15-p16.1 microdeletion syndrome, and Type II diabetes. It has been suggested that BCL11A may be a potential prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for some diseases. In this review, we summarize the current research state of BCL11A, including its biochemistry, expression, regulation, function, and its possible clinical application in human diseases.

BCL11A Is Oncogenic and Predicts Poor Outcomes in Natural Killer/T-Cell Lymphoma

The current treatment for natural killer/T-cell lymphoma (NKTL) among advanced/relapsed patients is unsatisfying, thereby highlighting the need for novel therapeutic targets. B‐cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia/lymphoma 11 A (BCL11A), as a transcription factor, is oncogenic in several neoplasms. However, its function in NKTL remains unclear. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis were used to measure the BCL11A expression levels among NKTL patients and in NKTL cell lines. Natural killer (NK) cells from healthy subjects were used as negative control. Transient transfection with small interfering RNA was used to knockdown the expression in NKTL cell lines. Samples and clinical histories were collected from 343 NKTL patients (divided into test and validation groups) to evaluate the clinical value of BCL11A expression level. The BCL11A expression was upregu\lated among NKTL patients and in NKTL cell lines. Reduced cell proliferation and increased apoptosis were observed after silencing BCL11A in NKTL cell lines. BCL11A expression level was correlated with RUNX3, c-MYC, and P53 in NKTL. Notably, a high BCL11A expression was correlated with unfavorable clinical characteristics and predicted poor outcomes in NKTL. In conclusion, BCL11A was overexpressed in NKTL, while its upregulation promoted tumor development. Therefore, BCL11A expression level may be a promising prognostic biomarker for NKTL.

Comparative targeting analysis of KLF1, BCL11A, and HBG1/2 in CD34+ HSPCs by CRISPR/Cas9 for the induction of fetal hemoglobin

β-hemoglobinopathies are caused by abnormal or absent production of hemoglobin in the blood due to mutations in the β-globin gene (HBB). Imbalanced expression of adult hemoglobin (HbA) induces strong anemia in patients suffering from the disease. However, individuals with natural-occurring mutations in the HBB cluster or related genes, compensate this disparity through γ-globin expression and subsequent fetal hemoglobin (HbF) production. Several preclinical and clinical studies have been performed in order to induce HbF by knocking-down genes involved in HbF repression (KLF1 and BCL11A) or disrupting the binding sites of several transcription factors in the γ-globin gene (HBG1/2). In this study, we thoroughly compared the different CRISPR/Cas9 gene-disruption strategies by gene editing analysis and assessed their safety profile by RNA-seq and GUIDE-seq. All approaches reached therapeutic levels of HbF after gene editing and showed similar gene expression to the control sample, while no significant off-targets were detected by GUIDE-seq. Likewise, all three gene editing platforms were established in the GMP-grade CliniMACS Prodigy, achieving similar outcome to preclinical devices. Based on this gene editing comparative analysis, we concluded that BCL11A is the most clinically relevant approach while HBG1/2 could represent a promising alternative for the treatment of β-hemoglobinopathies.

Role and mechanism of PTEN in Burkitt's lymphoma

The aim of the present study was to explore the possible mechanisms of phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) in the pathogenesis of Burkitt's lymphoma, and provide novel information that can be used in the targeted treatment of this disease. PTEN lentiviral overexpression vector and short-hairpin PTEN silencing vectors were constructed. The effect of PTEN on the growth and proliferation of CA46 and RAJI cells was analyzed using a Cell Counting Kit-8 assay. Apoptosis was detected by Hoechst 33342 and propidium iodide double staining. Flow cytometry was used to analyze the cell cycle. A Transwell chamber was used to detect cell migration and invasion abilities. Western blot analysis was used to detect related protein changes. The mechanism of the effect of PTEN on the biological characteristics of Burkitt's lymphoma cells was subsequently analyzed. The results revealed that PTEN inhibited the proliferation of CA46 and RAJI cells by downregulating the expression of p-AKT, It was indicated that the upregulation of proapoptotic proteins (including Bad and Bax) induced apoptosis, regulated cyclin (including P53, P21, CDK4, CDK6, cyclin D3 and cyclin H) to inhibit cell cycle progression, and mediated epithelial-mesenchymal transition-like cell markers (including E-cadherin, N-cadherin, β-catenin, TCF-8, vimentin, Slug and Snail) to inhibit cell migration and invasion. In conclusion, the tumor-suppressor gene PTEN inhibited the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT) signaling pathway and inhibited the proliferation and migration of Burkitt's lymphoma cells, induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest, thus playing a crucial role in the pathogenesis of Burkitt's lymphoma.

Downregulated miR-17, miR-29c, miR-92a and miR-214 may be related to BCL11B overexpression in T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia

AIM

BCL11B overexpression is a characteristic of most T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) cases, and downregulated BCL11B in leukemic T cells inhibits cell proliferation and induces apoptosis. The purpose of this study was to analyze the miRNA expression pattern that may be related to BCL11B regulation in T-ALL.

METHODS

Quantitative real-time PCR was used to detect the miRNAs miR-17-3p, miR-17-5p, miR-29c-3p, miR-92a-3p, miR-214-3p and miR-214-5p, the BCL11B expression level in peripheral blood mononuclear cells which was obtained from 17 de novo and untreated T-ALL patients, and 15 healthy individuals (HIs) served as control. Correlations between the relative miRNA expression levels and BCL11B were analyzed.

RESULTS

Based on the computational prediction that certain miRNAs bind the BCL11B 3'-UTR, miR-17-3p, miR-17-5p, miR-29c-3p, miR-92a-3p, miR-214-3p and miR-214-5p were found to be candidates for regulating BCL11B. The expression levels of the six miRNAs were decreased compared with HIs, and with the exception of miR-17-5p, statistically significant differences in expression levels were found in the T-ALL group. Moreover, while significantly higher BCL11B expression was found in the T-ALL group, a negative trend in the correlation level for all six miRNAs could be found in all groups; however, statistical significance was only found for miR-214-3p in the T-ALL group.

CONCLUSION

miRNA downregulation together with BCL11B upregulation suggests that miR-17, miR-29c, miR-92a and miR-214 might be involved in BCL11B regulation. The therapeutic promise of regulating the expression of these miRNAs for T-ALL therapy may be considered in the future.